Will the poor performance in Uttarakhand—where the BJP fell behind the Congress by one seat in the recent Assembly polls— prove to be a stumbling block for former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa’s comeback plans?
There is hardly a year left for the Assembly elections in Karnataka. In Uttarakhand, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank was replaced by an ageing B.C. Khanduri as CM six months ago after scam allegation were made against him in September last year. Result: The BJP which was in power in the state, is now struggling to pip the Congress to the post.
The BJP top brass could find this argument handy in Karnataka to stall Yeddyurappa’s comeback efforts. They may take the stance that a change of guard at this stage and more so when the former CM has still cases to fight, would not help the party grow, said sources.
“As the Uttarakhand example proves, getting Mr Yeddyurappa back into the saddle may not help the party though it will help him grow. We are also not sure if it will help the BJP retain the votes of communities other than the Lingayats. So, Sadananda Gowda may continue to be CM,” sources said.
If Yeddyurappa creates a situation and threatens to break the party, then his reinstatement may be considered though it may not happen overnight.
State BJP leaders had not expected the high court judgement giving the former CM a clean chit, to come in the midst of the Udupi-Chikmagalur bypoll by-election and the budget session scheduled to begin on March 20. With the bypoll set for March 18 and CM Sadananda Gowda set to present his maiden budget on March 21, the last thing the BJP wants is turmoil in the party.
In this situation, the central leadership will make sure Sadananda Gowda presents his maiden budget. The question of changing the CM will arise only after the bypoll and the budget session.
According to them, the issue will be taken up during the selection of candidates on March 18 for the Rajya Sabha polls.